Made at BMW's joint venture with Brilliance Auto in the northeastern city Shenyang, the X1 hit the Chinese market last week priced between 282,000 and 498,000 yuan.

The first BMW SUV made locally, it becomes the third model built at the German automaker's China joint venture, following its 3 and 5 Series cars.

The X1 is powered by the latest BMW four-cylinder turbo engine, which is now produced in Shenyang at a newly completed engine plant, the carmaker's first outside Europe. It will later supply engines for all China-made BMWs including the 5 Series long-wheelbase sedan and upcoming new generation 3 Series.

An eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive are optional on the X1, powered by its engine that delivers 245hp and top torque of 350 Nm.

Sales of the imported X1 surpassed 15,000 units last year, almost triple the number in 2010.

With a more competitive price range, the locally made X1 is certain to register growth of over 100 percent to more than 30,000 units, the company said.